Damaging winds and tornadoes possible as storms approach the Midlands
As powerful storms are forecast to affect the Midlands Thursday, a lake wind advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service.
The advisory, which covers Richland, Lexington and all other Midlands counties, goes into effect at 1 p.m. and isn’t set to expire until 1 a.m. Friday.
The advisory was issued because showers and storms are expected ahead of an approaching cold front, according to a hazardous weather outlook from the National Weather Service.
Some strong to severe storms are possible, and damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are considered the greatest threats, according to the National Weather Service.
As of 10 a.m., no warnings or watches were issued, but that could change as the storms move into the area.
The greatest threat for severe weather will be between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., National Weather Service meteorologists said in a Thursday morning briefing.
The western portion of the Midlands are more at risk for the severe weather effects, according to the briefing. While the threat is lower in the Columbia area and eastern Midlands, there is still a marginal risk for severe weather, the National Weather Service said.
Impacts from the weather in the Columbia area could start closer to 5 p.m., and remain an issue through midnight, according to the National Weather Service.
It’s expected to be breezy ahead of the storms, and wind gusts upwards of 30-35 mph are possible in the morning and afternoon, the National Weather Service said.
Across the Midlands powerful winds and tornadoes could cause considerable damage to trees and branches, in addition to mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings. Vehicles would also be under siege in the case of a tornado.
Damage to trees and branches creates the possibility of downed power lines and outages.
The storms are forecast to dump anywhere from half of an inch of rain or more on the Columbia area. Localized amounts could be higher, and there is a 90% chance of rain Thursday night, the forecast shows.
Rain is expected to be heaviest after 5 p.m., according to the forecast.
Temperatures could climb into the 70s before the storms arrive Thursday. The forecast shows temperatures could drop into the 40s on Thursday night, and conditions are expected to be colder after the storms move out of the area.
The National Weather Service said it will be much cooler and drier over the weekend, with below normal highs (in the 50s) on Friday and Saturday. Low temperatures could be below freezing, with a possibility of 27 degrees, the forecast shows.
More rain isn’t expected until after the holiday weekend, as there’s a chance of showers next Tuesday, according to the forecast.
Should tornadoes form Thursday, it would be the second week in a row they would affect the area.
On Jan. 5, wind bursts as powerful as 90 mph were recorded as tornadoes were confirmed in Lexington, Orangeburg, Aiken and Calhoun counties, the National Weather Service said.
Tornadoes were confirmed in Gilbert, South Congaree, Wagener, Woodford and western Calhoun County, according to the National Weather Service.
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This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 10:16 AM.
